Contact protection apparatus for a medical fluid-conducting cassette and cassette

Abstract

The present invention relates to a contact protection apparatus for covering a connection point of a medical fluid-conducting cassette for a medical fluid treatment, having at least one covering device for covering the connection point before the use of the cassette, and having at least one connection section for detachably connecting or holding the contact protection apparatus on the cassette. The present invention further relates to a medical fluid-conducting cassette having at least one contact protection apparatus according to the present invention.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A blood cassette assembly for use with a fluid treatment apparatus to perform a medical fluid treatment, the blood cassette assembly comprising:
 a blood cassette comprising:
 a housing defining fluid-conducting interior space and a hole for releasably coupling with the fluid treatment apparatus while the blood cassette and the fluid treatment apparatus perform the medical fluid treatment; and 
 a connector, coupled to the housing, for releasably connecting a fluid flow line to the blood cassette to facilitate fluid flow between the fluid flow line and the fluid-conducting interior space while the blood cassette and the fluid treatment apparatus perform the medical fluid treatment; and 
 
 a cassette protection device releasably coupled to the blood cassette and comprising:
 a cover plate; and 
 a connection section coupled to and projecting from the cover plate, the connection section releasably coupled with the hole such that the cover plate covers the connector, 
 
 wherein the blood cassette is operable with the fluid treatment apparatus to perform the medical fluid treatment while the cassette protection device is uncoupled from the blood cassette, and wherein the blood cassette is inoperable with the fluid treatment apparatus to perform the medical fluid treatment while the cassette protection device is coupled to the blood cassette. 
 
     
     
       2. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cassette protection device includes at least one encoding structure that is shaped in correspondence to a shape of the blood cassette. 
     
     
       3. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cassette protection device includes at least one fixing device for detachable intaking or retaining at least one of inlet or outlet tubes of the blood cassette. 
     
     
       4. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the fixing device is arranged only on one side of the cassette protection device. 
     
     
       5. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover plate includes a grip area. 
     
     
       6. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cassette protection device is a single piece. 
     
     
       7. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cassette protection device is coupled to the blood cassette without adhesives. 
     
     
       8. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cassette protection device comprises a section which protrudes from an edge of the blood cassette while the cassette protection device is coupled to the blood cassette. 
     
     
       9. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the grip area of cassette protection device is arranged on the section which protrudes from the edge of the blood cassette while the cassette protection device is coupled to the blood cassette. 
     
     
       10. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection section of the cassette protection device mechanically prevents the blood cassette from being operably mounted to the fluid treatment apparatus. 
     
     
       11. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection section of the cassette protection device comprises a latching connection. 
     
     
       12. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cassette protection device is or was sterilized together with the blood cassette. 
     
     
       13. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein there is no firmly bonded connection between the cover plate of the cassette protection device and the blood cassette or the connector when the cover plate covers the connector. 
     
     
       14. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the blood cassette includes an edge contour that is shaped in correspondence to a contour of the at least one encoding structure. 
     
     
       15. The blood cassette assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is adapted for connecting a substituate line to the blood cassette.